Michigan football team moves into AP top 25 poll
Fresh off a big win over Notre Dame, the Michigan football team moved into the AP top 25 poll Sunday afternoon.
The Wolverines debuted at No. 20.
Michigan (2-0) is the fourth-highest ranked team in the Big Ten right now, behind No. 2 Ohio State, No. 9 Iowa and No. 11 Wisconsin. Michigan surpassed Penn State, which fell to No. 22 following a loss to No. 1 Alabama.
The Wolverines finished the weekly ballot with 437 points, which placed them in between Jim Harbaugh's Stanford team at No. 19 (446) and No. 21 West Virginia (197).
It's the first time that Michigan is ranked in the poll since a 4-0 start lifted the team to the No. 23 position in 2009.
The last time the Wolverines were ranked higher than No. 23 was in 2007, when they opened the season at No. 5, but subsequently fell out of the poll after their loss to Appalachian State.
In the USA Today poll, Michigan debuted at No. 22.
Comments
dlarrouy
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 3:09 p.m.
the story of the kicking game is that no players have been recruited under rr or carr. We have 6 place kickers on the roster and 6 are walkons;2 punters and one is a feeshman the other is a walk on. the long snappers are 5 of 6 walkons how could we expect to have a kicking game?
GB
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 12:37 p.m.
It was a great win for Rich and the team.... it was deserved by both.
Mark
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 12:26 p.m.
The ranking is meaningless this time of year. Robinson however, is exciting to watch. Rich Rod or not, for years I hoped that UM would have a QB that could run with the ball, and not play Statue of Liberty while getting sacked. However, the offense cannot be just him. Take Robinson out of the game, and where would the UM offense be? Definitely something to work on, and let's hope the QB stays healthy.
Rolz G
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 12:16 p.m.
Go blue. Finally something positive for the fans this year.
Jeff Butler
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 11:54 a.m.
Defensively we are a little better - especially like the creating turnovers. That will help to make up for a porous secondary and poor tackling better than anything else. Still not enough on the D to compete for the title. Offensively if we don't get a top 5 back next year I will be shocked. Seniors gotta look at what Denard is doing and go dang what I could do in that offense with that QB. 5-0 is easily obtainable and will happen. Next two weeks I am predicting 1-1 v. MSU and Iowa. Remainder of the season will probably be a.500 affair and get us to 8 wins, which in my mind is great improvement!! GO BLUE - make me a liar in a good way!! lol
javajolt1
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 11:47 a.m.
Don't get too excited yet....this happened last year too. Slow and steady. Robinson really needs a supporting cast!
Brian
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 11:29 a.m.
Gotta love both the fans and non-fans. The glass-half-full fans now have UConn & Notre Dame as powerhouses. The glass-half-empty 'fans' have them as powderpuffs. Bottom line: 2 excellent W's with lost of questions, but lot's of hope. 2 - 0 is much better than 0 - 2 or 1 - 1. This is not last years 2 - 0. Enjoy the ride & GO BLUE!
Honest Abe
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 11:09 a.m.
Dear fellow UM Football fans: Prepare for our team to completely crumble. We have not accomplished anything! Wow, we beat 2 crappy teams so far! We have along way to go. Id prepare for a 4-8 season. Im not being mean, Im being REAL.
umgoblue47
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 9:17 a.m.
holy cow, this season is going much better then 2009... some poster's picked uconn to win this game, diden't happen, check... some poster's picked notre dame to win this game, diden't happen, check... heisman is to early, check... spread offense is working great, check... 5-0 going into the msu game, check... some posters head gear is on so tight they just can't see whats coming... GO BLUE...
tulsatom
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 6:43 a.m.
Good post, Mitch. I couldn't agree more. While I'm glad to see U-M recognized for showing improvement, there are still plenty of weak areas that need work (special teams, defensive secondary) that would get them decisively beaten by most Top Ten teams at this stage. However, I love the way the offense is playing as well as the the defensive line and linebackers. If U-M can improve in these areas and keep Denard and the o-line healthy, they can be a legitimate contender in the Big Ten race and maybe go 9-3. If they don't, we're talking 7-5 and a minor bowl game.
MikeB
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 4:33 a.m.
OSUbeBetter, good points as always. I remember when Ohio State had one of them little spread quarterbacks, Troy Smith. Man Michigan and the rest of the Big Ten just pummeled them, can't win in the Big 10 with a spread offense right? You are so insightful. Wait? didn't Ohio Stet do OK with a spread, didn't he shred Michigan? Sorry, spread offenses can win in the Big 10. Don't they still run a spread dude? I still see 8 UM wins (counting a bowl victory, and with a bowl victory and all the extra practice, then yes, UM is back) Wins are wins and we will see how the season comes out but having said that, winning with a stirring comeback at a very tough place to play, well it is sweet and you can't change that can you OSUbeBetter? Can you.
Blue Marker
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 4:04 a.m.
Two games, two bad predictions on scores. Now that "someone" won't even man-up and admit it. Instead they come up with more negative dribble. Just keep spinning your doom and gloom and I'll keep laughing.
OSUbeBetter
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 3:31 a.m.
Holy cow, This season is going exactly the same as 2009. Easy Win in home opener, Check Beat a Notre dame team that cant get out of its own way, Check Heisman chatter, Check RodriSpread is going to dominate the Big 10, Check call us Butter because were on a Roll, Check 4-0 Start, Check (Im Assuming) Big ten conference meltdown...... Probably, But yet to be determined
Sean T.
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 1:54 a.m.
Dude, after another win last Saturday, why even bother to mention Sparty? Enjoy our "W" and don't sound so Obsessed.
zeeba
Sun, Sep 12, 2010 : 10:22 p.m.
What a joke. Robinson gains big yards against two weak teams and U-M gets a top 25 based on what Bo once did. This is still a weak team that will get picked apart by any team with a decent passing game and stout run defense. A bowl game is possible, but not on New Year's Day. They'll still be lucky to finish #5 in the B10.
CUBBIE_BLUE
Sun, Sep 12, 2010 : 9:47 p.m.
I'm hoping they let Denard make some throws down field and add in some crossing routes. He definitely needs to work on his timing as those curls routes will get jumped if the receiver is sitting there waiting for the ball to come out. They gotta start using their speed to stretch defenses too. I find the lack of a pass rush be a major concern as QBs have all day to throw against our inexperienced DBs and zone coverage. Even when they were blitzing they were not getting to the QB.
heartbreakM
Sun, Sep 12, 2010 : 9:38 p.m.
Rankings for the first 4-5 weeks are completely meaningless, and are just a vehicle for the fans to talk. After UM lost to App State a few years ago, what was their pre-season #5 worth? Same with Virginia Tech this week? Who says that Miami FL should be rated higher than Michigan this week? It is all based on hoo-haa from perceptions and last years results. Talk to me about the meaning of 2-0 start and rankings in 7 weeks when we have a better sense, after M has played MSU, Iowa, PSU, and we will know how good UConn and ND are. This week, though, is a classic trap game, and M better be ready. (Should not have been scheduled, any more than Del State last year).
richagain
Sun, Sep 12, 2010 : 9:35 p.m.
Ok boys this is how it is. Dennard a heisman candidate? He's 5 9 Fast and elusive. Heisman? Now thank RR for how he makes certain players look. Remember last year? Tate was a heisman candidate after 2 games. He's a 3rd stringer now Time for all Michigan fans to support your coach and your team I Always bleed maize and blue. I'm all in for Michigan Thanks coach, get Tate some well deserved playing time, we need him for the rest of the season Heading into Michigan state 5-0....,., anything is possible Go blue!
barnz378
Sun, Sep 12, 2010 : 9:06 p.m.
Coach RR, Michigan fan base, and all the Michigan football players are playing with a chip on their shoulders. Rightfully so. The rankings are nice, but for the last 15 years we watch ourselves rise and fall. The next 2 games its GO TIME. Where we can see some more offensive weapons. Like I would like to see Tate. I don't really want to watch freshmen atany skilled positions. Not yet anyways. We have been through that faze last year.
azwolverine
Sun, Sep 12, 2010 : 8:52 p.m.
81wolverine, Amen. By the way, I ran into an OSU fan today while out on the town sporting my Michigan gear and he agreed (with me and everyone else) that Denard is pretty sweet. He asked me if I thought Michigan was "back," though, and I told him Michigan will not be fully "back" until we knock off his Buckeyes and get back into the rivalry. For this week, however, I'll take 2-0 and look forward to the team improving in ALL facets of the game over the next two weeks because, as we know, the 7 teams that beat us last year are still coming up.
MikeB
Sun, Sep 12, 2010 : 8:13 p.m.
Except for Denard, they did not look like a top 20 team, but it is what it is. Pros, Denard of course and believe it or not the Defense. Yep, some silly plays/penalties, some misses but they are a young bunch playing in one of the most hostile football environments sin the US. Receivers on tat catch on the 2 for in the game winning drive there were two receivers wide open and during the game the receiving was good Cons, running game, except Denard. We need to get the run going. Of course the kicking game was not good at all and it will bite us in the a@# in the future if we don't get it straightened out. We have two home games to make some fixes, a road game against Indiana who really want revenge because of last years game so we can be 5-0 and hopefully work on the kicking game as well as the running game. Bottom line, a good win, in fact two good wins and especially a road win with a very young team in a very hostile environment. Looking forward to next week.
TRUEwolverine
Sun, Sep 12, 2010 : 7:45 p.m.
It feels good to be relevant nationally again. However, I liked the swagger our team played with (particularly in week one) as the unrespected underdog. This will be an interesting next few weeks as Devin Gardner and Tate should be getting a majority of the reps to rest the DR for B10 play. I am confident that MICH Rod will keep our boys focused and motivated as they get to further develop their talent and confidence headed in to the Big Ten season. GO BLUE
81wolverine
Sun, Sep 12, 2010 : 7:36 p.m.
It's nice to see us ranked again. But, I'm not too excited about it. If we're still there 1/2 way through the season, it will be worth taking note of. After the last two years, we need to take one game at a time.